This second round in the NBA playoffs is getting so intense. Teams are bringing it to seven or six games while the only series completed is the Heat and 76ers. Even that one went to six games. This article is going to include the other playoff performers that are making these long series happen.
Luka Doncic: A+
The guy is not going to settle for a second-round loss. This round, he’s averaging a hefty 32.2 points, 9.8 boards and 7.5 assists on 46% from the field, 30% from three and 74% from the line. The guy is carrying this team as much as he possibly can and his stats definitely show that. He has offensive support in three point maestro Reggie Bullock, Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie so this team is going down without a fight. Game seven of this series is going to be one of the most exciting games hopefully. Expect this guy to have one of the better lines.
Deandre Ayton: A+
The guy is doing everything he can possibly do to keep his Suns alive. He’s averaging some nice numbers on elite efficiency: 17.5 points, 8.8 boards and 0.8 assists on 60% from the field and 65% from the line. Ayton is one of the elite centers in this league but he doesn’t get enough attention. He’s not putting up the most exciting numbers, but he has been one of the more consistent players on this team. The Suns are going back home for game seven, so expect this club to be at their best. They have another chance to get to the conference finals in as many years.
Jrue Holiday: A
Holiday has been wreaking some havoc on this poor Boston team, notably Marcus Smart (watch the end of game five). Despite the poor shooting (35% from the field, 35% from the three-point line and 100% from the line), he has been playing some phenomenal ball. He’s pumping out some hefty averages of 21.8 points, seven boards and 6.4 assists. Holiday is another one of the more underrated players in our league, but this playoff run is going very well for him again. This years playoffs, the pesky two-way guard has been averaging 19.1 points, six boards, 6.6 dimes, 1.6 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 3.2 turnovers on 37% from the field, 35% from the three-point line and 85% from the line. He isn’t shooting it well, but the guy is definitely creating problems for the Celtics right now.
Max Strus: A-
Strus had an amazing closeout game against Philly yesterday. He put up 20 points, 11 boards, five dimes and buried 4/10 threes (6/14 from the field). Strus was inserted into the starting lineup over Duncan Robinson and boy did this move pay off for Miami. The undrafted four year player has been averaging 12.5 points, 4.4 boards, 2.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks, and one turnover a game on 41% from the field, 35% from three and 64% from the line. Miami found yet another gem in this guy and it’s amazing to think that he was one of two undrafted players in their starting lineup in game six on the road. Strus is going to stay in the starting lineup for the time being and he has definitely deserved it.